A national survey of life insurance companies has shown that $4.4 billion had not gone to beneficiaries. Because of individuals not understanding how to claim awards or simply not knowing the policies exist, life insurance companies have been able to hold onto the money until the policyholder reaches a limiting age, usually 100 years old.

SPRINGFIELD –The mentally and physically disabled individuals who receive care from Misericordia Home are unique as many receive services from the time they are born to their final breath. Thanks to Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) the facility’s licensing will be as unique and streamlined as the service it provides.

“Misericordia is unique in that it provides exceptional care for its vulnerable residents over lifetimes,” Mulroe said. “It makes sense to me that the state should recognize facilities like it under a new, streamlined licensure process to ensure the patients continue receiving the best care they can without experiencing any delays.”

Currently, facilities like Misericordia are required by the state to hold multiple licenses for the various services it offers. It can get especially tricky when trying to transfer a patient from one part of the facility to another: An individual may show up on a transfer, but the paperwork placing them there has been held up, causing a delay of care.

The measure would create a continuum of care license for large-scale facilities like Misericorida, removing the necessity for multiple licenses. The facility currently works under five differently issued licenses.

CHICAGO - State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) and Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs hosted a press conference Wednesday at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago in an effort to urge Governor Bruce Rauner to sign an important bill to help people receive unclaimed life insurance benefits.

"These companies have been able to get away with not paying the proceeds from a policy because more often than not, the families of the deceased don't realize these policies exist," Mulroe said. "This act would place the onus on the insurance companies to fulfill the obligations of the policies they entered into."

The measure, House Bill 4633, which was co-sponsored by Mulroe, passed the Senate in May. It would free up $4.4 billion that has not been paid to beneficiaries of unclaimed life insurance policies.

Life insurance companies have come under fire with accusations that they have not been diligent enough in awarding benefits to the families and relatives of deceased policyholders. The new legislation would create the Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act to correct this.

"This is commonsense legislation and it is urgent that the governor sign this proposal into law," Mulroe concluded.

The measure passed the Senate with a vote of 54-0 and has been sent to the governor's desk for approval.

SPRINGFIELD –A proposal to streamline veterans identification that passed the Senate in April was signed into law by the governor today. Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) co-sponsored the measure.

"With all of the services available to veterans, it only makes sense that Illinois streamline how these men and women carry identification," Mulroe said. "These men and women have served our country, so I think this is the least we can do."

The measure allows the Secretary of State's office to receive advice on how to best proceed with veterans IDs. The new veteran-specific IDs and drivers licenses would be available to all members of the armed forces.